cavalier

1 of 2

adjective

cav·a·lier ˌka-və-ˈlir How to pronounce cavalier (audio)

: marked by or given to offhand and often disdainful (see disdain entry 1) dismissal of important matters

a cavalier attitude toward money

has a cavalier disregard for the rights of others

: debonair

capitalized : of or relating to the party of Charles I of England in his struggles with the Puritans and Parliament

: aristocratic

portrayed the plantation owner as a cavalier fop

capitalized : of or relating to the English Cavalier poets of the mid-17th century

cavalierism

ˌka-və-ˈlir-ˌi-zəm How to pronounce cavalier (audio)

noun

cavalierly adverb

cavalier

2 of 2

noun

: a gentleman trained in arms and horsemanship

: a mounted soldier : knight

capitalized : an adherent of Charles I of England

: a lady's escort or dancing partner : gallant

Did you know?

The Evolution of Cavalier

The adjective cavalier comes from a noun referring to a gentleman or knight who is trained in arms and horsemanship. The noun traces back to Latin caballārius, meaning "horseback rider" or "groom." It is also used for "a swaggering fellow," and English Puritans used it disdainfully to their adversaries, the swashbuckling royalist followers of Charles I, who sported longish hair and swords. Their use undoubtedly contributed to the adjective's reference to a rather unbecoming quality.

Example Sentences

Adjective They are too cavalier in their treatment of others. She has a cavalier attitude about spending money. He has a cavalier disregard for the rights of others. Noun a novel about the dashing cavaliers and gracious ladies of the South before the Civil War

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Such a cavalier attitude towards existing agreements will make future deals harder to strike.

The Economist, 5 Oct. 2017 For visitors, the idea of taking the wheel is daunting; roads are narrow and lined with limestone walls. Plus, drivers in this sun-drenched, densely populated country of 450,000 are known for a somewhat cavalier attitude.

Roy Harris, chicagotribune.com, 28 Aug. 2017 Prosecutors in his own office were repulsed and embarrassed by his cavalier dismissal of his own actions.

Daniel Borenstein, The Mercury News, 15 June 2017 For the first time in his career, his character's cavalier attitude towards death doesn't avoid it, but unleashes it.

Jake Kring-schreifels, Esquire, 10 June 2017 Doug discovered a notation for choreography for eight women that fit the cavalier music perfectly and costume sketches for eight Sugar Plum Fairy attendants.

Leilah Bernstein, Los Angeles Magazine, 16 June 2017 Obstetric medicine is like aviation: As even the worst airlines go years without a crash, so can even the most cavalier, careless hospitals go years without a mother or a baby dying or being serious injured.

Adam Wolfberg, The Atlantic, 26 May 2017

Noun

What is unique, however, is the way TikTok and its outside consultants are handling this material—an approach experts say is ham-handed and cavalier at best, and harmful and re-traumatizing at worst.

Alexandra S. Levine, Forbes, 4 Aug. 2022 Finally, to call Alito’s assessment of the ruling’s consequences for women cavalier would be charitable.

Sue Halpern, The New York Review of Books, 25 May 2022 Given the fair amount of screen time that Johnny gets, there’s something a little cavalier about how the story just kind of tosses him away.

Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 19 May 2022 All the Kennedy boys played for the Crimson, but only Ted stuck with it, and this is in keeping with their overall reputations: Jack cavalier and charismatic, Bobby intense and self-righteous, Ted an indefatigable plugger.

Fred O’brien, National Review, 3 Mar. 2022 Yet scholars of sociology, psychology and Asian American history said there was something serious — and damaging — behind this phenomenon of casual Asian-face blindness that borders on cavalier.

New York Times, 6 June 2021 The political turbulence in Brasília comes as the government faces withering criticism, including calls for Mr. Bolsonaro’s impeachment, for its cavalier and chaotic handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has killed more than 313,000 Brazilians.

New York Times, 30 Mar. 2021 Health officials suspect younger residents are acting more cavalier as access to vaccinations increases.

Elyssa Cherney, chicagotribune.com, 19 Apr. 2021 Harrowhark Nonagesimus, having become a powerful immortal necromancer, or Lyctor, at the cost of her cavalier’s life, is fighting battles on several fronts.

New York Times, 25 Nov. 2020 See More

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from attributive use of cavalier entry 2

Noun

borrowed from French, "horseback rider, member of the gentry bearing arms, gallant," going back to Middle French, borrowed from later medieval Italian cavallere, cavaleru, cavalliere "horseback rider, mounted soldier, courtly gentleman accompanying a lady," borrowed from Old Occitan cavalier "horseman, mounted soldier, knight," going back to Late Latin caballārius "horseback rider, groom" (early Medieval Latin also "serf performing duties on horseback, mounted soldier"), from Latin caballus "work horse, gelding" + -ārius -ary entry 1 — more at cavalcade

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1641, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

单词	cavalier
释义	cavalier 1 of 2 adjective cav·a·lier ˌka-və-ˈlir 1 : marked by or given to offhand and often disdainful (see disdain entry 1) dismissal of important matters a cavalier attitude toward money has a cavalier disregard for the rights of others 2 : debonair 3 a capitalized : of or relating to the party of Charles I of England in his struggles with the Puritans and Parliament b : aristocratic portrayed the plantation owner as a cavalier fop c capitalized : of or relating to the English Cavalier poets of the mid-17th century cavalierism ˌka-və-ˈlir-ˌi-zəm noun cavalierly adverb cavalier 2 of 2 noun 1 : a gentleman trained in arms and horsemanship 2 : a mounted soldier : knight 3 capitalized : an adherent of Charles I of England 4 : a lady's escort or dancing partner : gallant Did you know? The Evolution of Cavalier The adjective cavalier comes from a noun referring to a gentleman or knight who is trained in arms and horsemanship. The noun traces back to Latin caballārius, meaning "horseback rider" or "groom." It is also used for "a swaggering fellow," and English Puritans used it disdainfully to their adversaries, the swashbuckling royalist followers of Charles I, who sported longish hair and swords. Their use undoubtedly contributed to the adjective's reference to a rather unbecoming quality. Synonyms Adjective arrogant assumptive bumptious chesty haughty high-and-mighty high-handed high-hat highfalutin hifalutin huffish huffy imperious important lofty lordly masterful overweening peremptory pompous presuming presumptuous pretentious self-asserting self-assertive sniffy stiff-necked supercilious superior toplofty toploftical uppish uppity Noun gentleman See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Adjective They are too cavalier in their treatment of others. She has a cavalier attitude about spending money. He has a cavalier disregard for the rights of others. Noun a novel about the dashing cavaliers and gracious ladies of the South before the Civil War Recent Examples on the Web Adjective Such a cavalier attitude towards existing agreements will make future deals harder to strike. The Economist, 5 Oct. 2017 For visitors, the idea of taking the wheel is daunting; roads are narrow and lined with limestone walls. Plus, drivers in this sun-drenched, densely populated country of 450,000 are known for a somewhat cavalier attitude. Roy Harris, chicagotribune.com, 28 Aug. 2017 Prosecutors in his own office were repulsed and embarrassed by his cavalier dismissal of his own actions. Daniel Borenstein, The Mercury News, 15 June 2017 For the first time in his career, his character's cavalier attitude towards death doesn't avoid it, but unleashes it. Jake Kring-schreifels, Esquire, 10 June 2017 Doug discovered a notation for choreography for eight women that fit the cavalier music perfectly and costume sketches for eight Sugar Plum Fairy attendants. Leilah Bernstein, Los Angeles Magazine, 16 June 2017 Obstetric medicine is like aviation: As even the worst airlines go years without a crash, so can even the most cavalier, careless hospitals go years without a mother or a baby dying or being serious injured. Adam Wolfberg, The Atlantic, 26 May 2017 Noun What is unique, however, is the way TikTok and its outside consultants are handling this material—an approach experts say is ham-handed and cavalier at best, and harmful and re-traumatizing at worst. Alexandra S. Levine, Forbes, 4 Aug. 2022 Finally, to call Alito’s assessment of the ruling’s consequences for women cavalier would be charitable. Sue Halpern, The New York Review of Books, 25 May 2022 Given the fair amount of screen time that Johnny gets, there’s something a little cavalier about how the story just kind of tosses him away. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 19 May 2022 All the Kennedy boys played for the Crimson, but only Ted stuck with it, and this is in keeping with their overall reputations: Jack cavalier and charismatic, Bobby intense and self-righteous, Ted an indefatigable plugger. Fred O’brien, National Review, 3 Mar. 2022 Yet scholars of sociology, psychology and Asian American history said there was something serious — and damaging — behind this phenomenon of casual Asian-face blindness that borders on cavalier. New York Times, 6 June 2021 The political turbulence in Brasília comes as the government faces withering criticism, including calls for Mr. Bolsonaro’s impeachment, for its cavalier and chaotic handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has killed more than 313,000 Brazilians. New York Times, 30 Mar. 2021 Health officials suspect younger residents are acting more cavalier as access to vaccinations increases. Elyssa Cherney, chicagotribune.com, 19 Apr. 2021 Harrowhark Nonagesimus, having become a powerful immortal necromancer, or Lyctor, at the cost of her cavalier’s life, is fighting battles on several fronts. New York Times, 25 Nov. 2020 See More Word History Etymology Adjective from attributive use of cavalier entry 2 Noun borrowed from French, "horseback rider, member of the gentry bearing arms, gallant," going back to Middle French, borrowed from later medieval Italian cavallere, cavaleru, cavalliere "horseback rider, mounted soldier, courtly gentleman accompanying a lady," borrowed from Old Occitan cavalier "horseman, mounted soldier, knight," going back to Late Latin caballārius "horseback rider, groom" (early Medieval Latin also "serf performing duties on horseback, mounted soldier"), from Latin caballus "work horse, gelding" + -ārius -ary entry 1 — more at cavalcade First Known Use Adjective circa 1641, in the meaning defined at sense 2 Noun 1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Kids Definition cavalier 1 of 2 noun cav·a·lier ˌka-və-ˈlir 1 : a mounted soldier 2 : a brave and courteous gentleman cavalier 2 of 2 adjective 1 : easy and lighthearted in manner 2 : having or showing no concern for a serious or important matter He has a cavalier attitude about money. cavalier 1 of 2 adjective as in arrogant having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude a cavalier and pompous boss, indifferent to the feelings of her subordinates Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance arrogant superior haughty pompous sniffy supercilious bumptious uppity imperious huffy assumptive dominant presumptuous presuming high-handed uppish important smug masterful domineering high-and-mighty chesty overweening pretentious huffish authoritarian impudent lordly peremptory hifalutin toplofty highfalutin condescending magisterial patronizing snooty bossy toploftical cocky impertinent dominating saucy snobbish stiff-necked disdainful swaggering self-assertive lofty self-asserting hubristic vainglorious proud high-hat snobby egocentric blusterous boastful pontifical narcissistic bombastic pontificating egotistic brash complacent uninhibited egotistical conceited braggart blustery vain egoistic bragging egoistical immodest prideful extroverted self-complacent self-centered self-flattering self-satisfied unreserved orgulous self-conceited self-affected stuck-up self-pleased self-loving self-applauding braggy forward self-promoting extraverted Antonyms & Near Antonyms modest humble timid lowly bashful sheepish unpretentious diffident demure shy deferential mousy subdued passive acquiescent compliant unaggressive meek shrinking introverted unarrogant overmodest unassuming submissive unassertive mousey unobtrusive self-doubting quiet yielding self-critical reserved cringing cowering retiring See More cavalier 2 of 2 noun as in gentleman an honorable and courteous man a novel about the dashing cavaliers and gracious ladies of the South before the Civil War Synonyms & Similar Words gentleman aristocrat gallant knight prince fop beau charmer patrician dandy captivator dude petit-maître jay lady's man blade swell blood Galahad ladies' man Beau Brummell buck smoothie smoothy
随便看	afront afropavi afropavo afropavoes afropavos Afroplanorbis Afropop afrormosias afros afroth AFSCME Afshar aft aft of aften after after a fashion after a sort after a while after all after hours after one's own heart after the hour after-acquired evidence after-action report

cavalier

adjective

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

noun

adjective

adjective

noun